Word: grooms
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1970-1979
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
IRVING is a black groom who works in the stables. His friends call him "Red." He has an uncle-whom he calls "Unkie"-who has worked on the track most of his life. Unkie started out to be a jockey but got too heavy and had to quit...
...afternoon we get 'em ready. Then we wash 'em and walk 'em after each race. Feeding time might go up till 7:00 or 8:00. This is no life on the backside." Irving opened a bottle of whiskey and took a swig. "Then they wonder why the groom gets drunk...
...groom has to be real trustworthy to the trainer. There're a lotta secrets around a track. A groom has to be half a doctor, half nurse, and a babysitter too. You have to love the animal first; he comes before you. When a mother loses her child, she's sad; when a man loses his horse, he's hurting' too," he added, echoing the old cowboy ethic. "A horse comes to us all ugly and with long hair. We're the ones who make him beautiful enough for you to bet your money...
...Sometimes a jock'll pull a horse," he continued. "If the groom finds out, the jock might get a punch in the mouth. Racing is like dice: you roll craps and you're out; you roll seven or eleven and you're a winner...
...When that little jock makes the big time, he don't remember the groom who said, 'Drop your arms' or 'Don't pull the horse; he's got a tender mouth.' Three years from then if you go up to him for a buck, he might say, 'Get outta my face...